Cigar-box violin

late 19th century
E. Clifford (English, active 19th century)

Object Place: Bermondsey, England

Dimensions

Length 57.1 cm, width 11.6 cm (Length 22 1/2 in., width 4 9/16 in.)

Accession Number

17.1727

Medium or Technique

Mahogany

Not On View

Collections

Europe, Musical Instruments

Classifications

Chordophones

Rudely made instrument constructed from a cigar box by a blind man. Long rectangular box with two long slits for sound-holes; tail-piece and finger-board. Four gut strings.

Inscription

Manuscript label: made by E. Clifford 3 Joiners Place / Dockhead Bermondsey SE

Provenance

Francis W. Galpin (1858-1945), Hatfield Regis, England; 1916, sold by Francis W. Galpin to William Lindsey (1858-1922), Boston, Massachusetts; 1916, gift of William Lindsey, in memory of his daughter, Leslie Lindsey Mason, to the MFA. (Accession Date: October 5, 1916)

Credit Line

Leslie Lindsey Mason Collection